Friday, July 26, 2013

“Anomaly” ~ a very interesting late Middle Grade/Teen book!

About the book:Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won’t threaten their lives again.But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli’s secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music.

She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods.

As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along.

Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out…My thoughts:

Anomaly has a very interesting concept behind the story. The book's setting is AFTER Nuclear War has destroyed the world as you and I know it. 10 scientists saw what was coming and prepared a society deep in the earth and fled as the world ended. During the period before the book starts a new society has formed, babies are created (not in the natural way), formed and are designed with a specific purpose for their pod. Thalli was designed to be her pod's musician and her job is to support and encourage her pod mates as they work. But she is an anomaly - and she is found out and scheduled for annihilation.

What I found interesting as I read this book is how the 10 scientists have designed a society that relies on each other and ultimately on the 10 scientists. Within 3 generations the words (and knowledge of) God, His Savings Grace & Purpose, Love, Marriage have all been wiped out and each individual is designed to have NO emotions, feelings, illnesses and nothing can go wrong because if it does they will be destroyed.

Now having said that. When Thalli is sent to be tested she meets a friend who has already left their pod and is destined to become one of the scientists. He talks the other scientists into letting him see if what he is working on will "fix" her. While he is trying to help Thalli she ends up meeting John, the only other naturally created human and he shares the Love of Christ (or the original designer) with her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book although it wasn't at all what I expected. The writing is a bit tough to read so I would say it is for TEEN not for Middle Graders unless they have a strong grasp of language and a high reading comprehension. Parents you may want to read it before or with your kids (especially if they are younger) so you can answer questions. Personally I think a list of questions with this book would be great and it would be perfect for book clubs to read together.

Read this article by the author: Faith vs Science? (it's outstanding!) and if you'd like to learn more about the author and what she's all about.... be sure to visit Krista McGee's blog here! and friend her on facebook too!

Disclaimer: I was offered a copy of the book to read and review on CCB. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands. Thanks for reading!

WOW, I love the premise of this, and your review has made me want to pick it up. Interestingly I find so many books pitched for Middle Grade are infact YA due to language and concepts. Thanks so much for linking in to the Kid Lit Blog Hop